Carrigaphooca Castle
14th century ruined tower house in County Cork, Ireland / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carrigaphooca Castle (Irish: Caisleán Charraig a' Phúca meaning "castle on the rock of the fairy"; the word púca translates as ghost or fairy)[2] is a ruined five storey rectangular tower house situated on a steep-sided rock overlooking the River Sullane. It is located 6 km west of Macroom, County Cork, Ireland, in an area once known as Gleann na n-Dearg ("valley of the reds").[3] The tower dominates the landscape of Lissacresig (Fairyland) in Clondrohid, and Lower Shanballyshane, in Kilnamartyra.[4] Carrigaphooca is made of sandstone and limestone and was built as a defensive tower by the MacCarthys of Muskerry in the early 15th century.[5]
Carrigaphooca Castle | |
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Location | County Cork, Ireland |
Coordinates | 51.9086°N 9.0284°W / 51.9086; -9.0284 |
Built | Early 15th century |
Official name | Carrigaphooca Castle |
Reference no. | 255[1] |
Carrigaphooca is positioned in an area rich with neolithic monuments; Carrigaphooca Stone Circle lies two fields to the east, with a large standing stone (gallán) to the west.[6] The tower is located on private property, and is no longer accessible to the public, although it is owned by the state and maintained by the Office of Public Works.[7]